2. Watch the special House race in New York. As always, some press and pundits will make too big a deal about what to conclude from the result, whether there’s popular support for Obama’s economic agenda or some resistance to it. Both parties have put a lot of time and money into this race, so watch to see how they spin the outcome and what it means for where the two parties stand.

3. Watch the reaction to the new ABC News-Washington Post poll. There’s lots of data there for people to pick over. In particular, watch to see how Republicans try to frame the president’s approval ratings, which are still above 60% overall and on the economy.